El Tri will seek its first CONCACAF Nations League title Sunday against Panama at SoFi Stadium
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Mexico defeated Canada 2-0 with two goals from Raúl Jiménez
It will be El Tri's third final in four editions of the tournament
Javier Aguirre conducted regenerative training on Friday
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
The Mexican national team's CONCACAF Nations League semifinal victory over Canada Thursday night sparked diverse opinions in the Mexican media. Some praised manager Javier Aguirre's decision to field Raúl Jiménez and Santiago Giménez together in the attack, highlighting their strong performance.
Others downplayed El Tri's win, claiming that Canada did not pose a significant challenge. There were also those who discredited Panama, arguing that "Sunday’s final lost interest" due to the absence of the United States.
"Win or lose on Sunday, Javier Aguirre will coach at the World Cup. It eases the pressure from the environment. Mexico didn’t defeat a world powerhouse – Canada has improved, won the Octagonal, and finished fourth in the Copa América, but it's still Panama. There's nothing extraordinary about beating Panama on Sunday", TUDN's journalist David Faitelson said after Mexico's victory. "The CONCACAF giant hasn't returned yet."
Andrés Vaca, commentator for TUDN, said, "The tournament lost significance because the opponent isn't the United States. If you lose to Panama, there will be people unhappy with Aguirre."
On the ESPN's Futbol Picante panel, former footballer and now analyst Roberto Gómez Junco called Canada's performance disappointing, saying "I think the Mexican team showed a level above what was expected."
In Fox Sports Mexico's coverage, they chose Christian Giménez, former Mexican national team player and father of Santiago Giménez, El Tri's forward, as an analyst. This was the opinion the "Chaco" shared after Mexico's win:
"I agree that Edson’s play was a penalty, but I think this Canadian team, given the players they have, got lost in the game that Vasco proposed. They need to keep improving their play – at times, they played well. I believe they could supply more balls to the forwards. Raúl is on another level. I don’t think there will be changes against Panama, and Javier should ask the players how they feel to decide whether to repeat the lineup or not."
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
After coming into the match against Canada as underdogs, Mexico will be widely favored to defeat Panama on Sunday and claim their first Nations League title.
El Tri held a regenerative training session on Friday.
GettyDID YOU KNOW?
Mexico has an unbeaten streak of 15 matches against Panama, with 13 of those victories. The most recent time El Tri lost to the Canaleros was in the 2013 Gold Cup, when they were defeated 2-1 in the tournament's semifinals.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MEXICO'S NATIONAL TEAM?
Panama will be the final obstacle for Aguirre's team to lift their first Nations League title. After that match, "Vasco" will need to prepare for the June FIFA date, where Mexico will face Switzerland and Turkey.
